binnovel Chapter 31: Yingchun Tower
Chapter 31: Yingchun Tower
Hongxiu frowned, glancing cautiously at Lin Ruqin out of the corner of her eye, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Lin Ruqin didn't have much patience and pressed on, "Where is the Third Prince? Tell me!"
Hongxiu's eyes darted around, then she lowered her head, looking embarrassed, and said, "Miss Chang, the Third Prince is..."
She paused deliberately for a moment, then looked up again, and continued with great embarrassment, "The Third Prince is at Yingchun Tower."
Hongxiu's voice grew softer and softer until it was barely audible.
Lin Ruqin's brows immediately furrowed, and she asked in surprise, "Are you sure it's Yingchun Pavilion?"
With a thud, Hongxiu immediately knelt down and said in a trembling voice, "This servant dares not lie."
"The Third Prince did indeed go to Yingchun Tower, and he hasn't come out for three hours."
Lin Ruqin's face darkened. Yingchunlou was one of the top brothels in the capital, and a place frequently visited by many playboys and powerful figures.
The girl in the story was said to be incredibly beautiful and talented, which is why she became a favorite haunt of many young men in the capital.
I never expected that the Third Prince, who was rumored to be gentle, refined, and aloof, would have such a side to him in private.
Seeing that Lin Ruqin did not answer, Hongxiu raised her eyes and asked cautiously, "Miss, what should we do next?"
Lin Ruqin's taut lips curved into a faint smile, "Next, of course, is to prepare the acting~"
"Prepare your clothes, I'm going to see the Third Prince."
Hongxiu was shocked. "Miss Chang, the Third Prince is at Yingchun Pavilion. How can a woman go to such a place?"
Hongzhi echoed, her expression panicked, "Miss, this is absolutely not allowed!"
“The Madam and the Second Miss have always regarded Miss as a thorn in their side. If they find out that Miss went to a brothel, they will definitely bring it up against her.”
Lin Ruqin's expression was stern. She glanced sideways at Hongxiu and Hongzhi, and her voice turned a degree colder.
"As long as you don't tell and I don't tell, no one will know that I went to a brothel."
"If either of you lets a word of this slip out, I won't let you off the hook!"
Lin Ruqin's gaze was as cold as ice, as sharp as a knife, scraping across Hongzhi and Hongxiu's faces.
The two of them couldn't help but shiver, lowered their heads even further, and whispered, "Yes."
Hongzhi quickly found a set of men's clothing that fit her well and helped Lin Ruqin dress up.
The graceful young lady transformed into a handsome and refined gentleman.
Lin Ruqin was very satisfied with her appearance. After admiring herself in the mirror and confirming that there were no problems, she asked Hongxiu and Hongzhi to cover her as she left the Lin residence.
Hongxiu and Hongzhi looked at Lin Ruqin with concern, "Miss, is this really okay?"
With a snap, Lin Ruqin opened her folding fan and shook her head twice with a flourish. "There's nothing that's impossible."
"You two guard Warm Spring Pavilion well, and don't let anyone else know that I'm not here."
She gave a couple more instructions and then left with light steps.
Hongxiu and Hongzhi dared not linger in the back garden. They looked around warily and quickly returned to Nuanchun Pavilion.
Outside Yingchun Tower, women dressed in vulgar clothes and heavily made up stood in twos and threes, holding colorful handkerchiefs to attract customers, their faces full of fawning smiles.
Lin Ruqin glanced at them disdainfully and walked straight into the brothel.
As soon as she stepped inside, the strong smell of cosmetics hit her head, leaving Lin Ruqin somewhat dazed.
"Oh my, young master, you're quite handsome!"
Just as Lin Ruqin was looking around, searching for Li Zeyan, a large, stout man blocked her way.
The heavily made-up madam sized up Lin Ruqin, her gaze sharp and penetrating.
Lin Ruqin half-clenched her fist to cover up her actions, cleared her throat, and stepped back to distance herself from the madam.
She disliked the madam's gaze, as if she wanted to see right through her.
The madam took a step closer, and Lin Ruqin's heart skipped a beat. She wondered what the madam was thinking and why she was staring at her with such a look.
She felt uneasy, worried that she might have given herself away.
Otherwise, why are you staring at me like that?
Lin Rusi turned to leave, but her wrist suddenly tightened.
The madam grasped her wrist and fiddled with it for a while, her smile meaningful. "This brothel isn't a place for innocent girls to come into."
"Young lady, did you come here disguised to look for someone?"
Meeting the madam's all-knowing gaze, Lin Ruqin felt as if her heart had been gripped by an invisible hand.
She pursed her lips, looking puzzled.
Her disguise was flawless, so why was it discovered so easily?
The madam saw through Lin Ruqin's thoughts and said with a sly smile, "I've seen more women than you've eaten meals. You can't fool my eyes when you're dressed as a man."
The madam's face visibly darkened, and her eyes became even more gloomy.
She stared at Lin Ruqin with a questioning gaze, "What is your purpose in coming here? Who are you looking for?"
Lin Ruqin carefully scanned the surroundings, precisely locking onto the Third Prince upstairs, who was flanked by two women.
Finally found!
Suppressing her excitement, she slipped a piece of silver into the madam's hand and lied, "My husband is cheating on me here. I'm here to arrest him. Please be lenient."
The madam raised an eyebrow and weighed the silver in her hand with satisfaction. "Alright, go ahead."
Lin Ruqin thanked her repeatedly and ran upstairs without looking back.
Her eyes darted quickly across the men and women passing by, and finally she spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.
Lin Ruqin held her breath, lifted her clothes, and ran to Li Zeyan as fast as she could.
With a stern face, she blocked Li Zeyan's path and pushed aside the two women beside him without saying a word.
Before Li Zeyan could react, Lin Ruqin pulled him into the room next to her, saying, "I have something to tell you."
She acted quickly and swiftly, and by the time the two girls realized they had been robbed, the door was already closed.
Lin Ruqin locked the door with a bolt, then looked at Li Zeyan.
"Third Prince, it's me."
Li Zeyan took a closer look, frowned slightly, and then leaned closer to examine it carefully several times.
His eyes suddenly lit up. "Miss Lin."
"Yes, it's me."
Just as Lin Ruqin was about to get down to business, Li Zeyan gave a sly smile.
He was half a head taller than Lin Ruqin, and when he bent down to examine her, he exuded a sense of oppression.
He approached gradually, his eyes narrowed, a glint of unfathomable light in them.
Do you know what you're doing?
Lin Ruqin had a bad feeling, and gave a forced smile, "I know."
Her back pressed against the cold wall, her heart pounding in her throat.
Li Zeyan did not stop there; instead, he moved a few centimeters closer without any attempt to avoid suspicion.
Lin Ruqin gasped and quickly turned her head to the side, feigning composure as she said, "Third Prince, I advise you not to act rashly."
Li Zeyan's nose was already close to Lin Ruqin's cheek, the cool touch brushing against her skin, leaving a tingling sensation.
Warm breaths brushed against her neck, and Lin Ruqin felt nauseous.
If it weren't for preparing a good show for Lin Rusi, she would never have come to see Li Zeyan!
In her heart, Li Zeyan was a hypocrite!
In this world, besides Lin Rusi, there is no woman more suitable to be with Li Zeyan.
Lin Ruqin clenched her fists, turned her head sharply to the side, and said with difficulty, "Third Prince, do you no longer want to marry Lin Rusi?"
Li Zeyan's lips curled slightly as he greedily inhaled the fragrance emanating from Lin Ruqin's skin and the scent emanating from her black hair.
This was the first time he had been so close to Lin Ruqin from Hell, and he had a real urge to pull her into his arms.
Lin Ruqin held her breath and forced back her nausea, saying, "I have a way to help you marry Lin Rusi and win the heart of this beauty."
Li Zeyan frowned, staring intently into Lin Ruqin's eyes. "Why should I marry Lin Rusi?"
“She is already engaged to my third uncle. It is not appropriate for me to take away someone else’s love. Moreover, the engagement between Lin Rusi and my third uncle was arranged by my father. Even if I were a fool, I would not risk the crime of disrespecting the emperor by snatching her away.”
"and,"
He paused, a wicked smile creeping onto his face.
"It has to be Lin Rusi, I prefer you more."
Li Zeyan's gaze moved inch by inch down to Lin Ruqin's neck, and he couldn't help but swallow hard.
"You have a place in my heart. Compared to marrying Lin Rusi, the person I truly want to marry is you."
Li Zeyan's mushy words sent a chill down Lin Ruqin's spine.
Her face paled a shade lighter, her pupils widened in shock as she stared at Li Zeyan, who was standing right in front of her, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Third Prince, my daughter is of lowly status; how could she possibly be worthy of a prince?"
Li Zeyan's expression turned fanatical, his eyes brimming with madness and fervor.
He gripped Lin Ruqin's hand tightly and said solemnly, "I don't want anyone but you!"
Lin Ruqin forced a smile and pulled her hand away from Li Zeyan's.
That madman.
She cursed inwardly, but still wore a smile on her face.
"I'm only saying this for the Third Prince's own good."
Li Zeyan raised an eyebrow, his gaze towards Lin Ruqin filled with a hint of doubt.
"Why is it for my own good?"
Lin Ruqin cleared her throat and said in a serious tone, "It is no secret that my sister was once devoted to the Third Prince."
"My sister went to great lengths to attract the Third Prince's attention, but at the last minute she suddenly got engaged to Prince Jinglie and even changed her attitude to distance herself from the prince."
"Isn't this a blatant slap in the face to the prince? It means that the Third Prince's charm is no match for Prince Jinglie."
Li Zeyan frowned, straightened up, and nodded thoughtfully, "What you said does make sense."
"But Lin Rusi is already engaged to Li Jingyang, so even if I want to, it will be in vain."
Seeing that Li Zeyan had fallen for her trick, Lin Ruqin smiled and then said, "Third Prince, it's not like that."
"My daughter has a plan. I wonder if the Third Prince would be willing to listen attentively?"
Li Zeyan became interested and immediately leaned closer to listen.
Lin Ruqin whispered something in Li Zeyan's ear, and Li Zeyan's eyes sparkled with a bright light.
"good idea."
Upon receiving Li Zeyan's praise, Lin Ruqin lowered her eyes shyly, her cheeks flushed with two striking blushes.
Li Zeyan's eyes were filled with surprise as he looked at Lin Ruqin.
"I didn't expect you to be so smart."
In Li Zeyan's memory, Lin Ruqin was always quiet and gentle, and seemed taciturn. Who would have thought she was so attentive?
Lin Ruqin thanked Li Zeyan politely but coldly.
"Thank you for your praise, Third Prince. I only did what I should do."
Li Zeyan laughed heartily, gently placing his hand on Lin Ruqin's shoulder and giving it a cryptic pat.
Lin Ruqin's smile faded slightly, and she subtly took half a step back. "This humble girl awaits the Third Prince's good news."
"it is good."
Lin Ruqin did not linger at Yingchun Tower. She made up a reason to fool Li Zeyan and quickly left this place of trouble.
After parting ways with Lin Ruqin, Li Zeyan left Yingchun Tower directly and boarded a sedan chair to return to the palace.
Soon, news came from the palace that Li Zeyan had requested the emperor to bestow a marriage upon him, asking His Majesty to betroth Lin Ruqin to him.
When Lin Rusi learned of the news, she was reading in her study.
Hearing the maid's words, he trembled, and the book slipped from his hand with a thud.
How can it be?
He had already threatened Li Zeyan with syphilis, so why would he still go to the emperor to serve him?
Lin Rusi's mind went completely blank with a bang.
She didn't care about anything else now and rushed out of the study without a second thought.
Just then, Eunuch Li, who was by the emperor's side, arrived at the Lin residence with the imperial edict.
When Lin Rusi found Lin Ruqin, she was already kneeling on the ground, ready to request permission.
No!
However, it was too late. Just as Lin Rusi was about to run forward, a pair of large hands pressed down on her shoulders without any politeness.
Si Yu glared at Lin Rusi without any politeness and pressed her shoulders down firmly.
"You brat, there are people from the palace here, you can't cause trouble!"
Lin Rusi was forced to kneel on the ground by Si Yu.
Eunuch Li began to read the imperial edict in a high-pitched voice, and Lin Rusi's ears were filled with an inescapable buzzing sound.
How could this be?
She had tried so hard to keep everyone in the Lin family away from Li Zeyan.
Unexpectedly, Lin Ruqin still ended up in Li Zeyan's hands.
Things took an unexpected turn for Lin Rusi, and she bit her lip in frustration.
After thanking him for the gift, Eunuch Li offered a few words of blessing and then left.
The Lin family members all looked unwell, especially Lin Ruqin.
After everyone else left, Lin Ruqin remained standing there, her face stern, radiating a low-pressure aura.
Let's not even talk about whether Lin Ruqin wants to marry Li Zeyan.
Given Li Zeyan's terrible fate alone, we can't just stand by and watch Lin Ruqin jump into the fire.
No, she has to change the situation!
As Lin Ruqin was about to leave in a daze, Lin Rusi stepped forward and blocked her way.
Lin Ruqin curled her lips into a mocking smile and said, "Are you here to laugh at me?"
Lin Rusi frowned and grabbed Lin Ruqin's wrist.
Lin Ruqin's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Lin Rusi with suspicion.
She twisted her wrists twice, trying to break free from Lin Rusi's grasp.
Lin Rusi not only did not let go, but gripped even tighter.
What are you doing!
Lin Ruqin could no longer contain her anger and glared at Lin Rusi.
Lin Rusi said righteously, "Let's go, let's go to the palace now to annul the engagement!"